🗞️ Bandit Betting Newsletter: UFC, PGA and the Mafia

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Welcome back to the Bandit Betting Newsletter, where we deliver the top stories in sports and gambling directly to your inbox, every Sunday.

In today's email:

• UFC 314 takeaways: Volkanovski and Pimblett are back.

• Rory Mcllroy: seizes masters lead, DeChambeau two strokes behind.

• Mafia boss: facing illegal gambling charges in NJ.

• Winning Sports Picks: get instant access to today’s expert picks.

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UFC 314

Volk regains title and Paddy the Baddy strikes again.

Alex Volkanovski regained the UFC featherweight championship at UFC 314 with a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Diego Lopes at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

The judges scored it 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 in favor of Volkanovski, who proved he still belongs at the top despite the division’s evolution since his last reign.

In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett delivered his biggest performance to date, finishing Michael Chandler via third-round TKO.

Pimblett, now 30, is entering his prime as the top lightweights begin aging out. He’s already taken out veterans like Tony Ferguson and now Chandler, and he’s eyeing bouts with Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier—all over 35. Pimblett's timing, talent, and personality may make him one of the UFC’s next big stars, especially in an era that’s hungry for new faces.

Elsewhere on the card, Yair Rodriguez derailed Patricio Pitbull’s UFC debut with a dominant showing, injecting new energy into his own career and reminding everyone of the depth at 145.

With Max Holloway and Ilia Topuria moving to lightweight, Volkanovski’s new title reign comes with fresh challengers: Movsar Evloev, Lerone Murphy, Jean Silva (who just crushed Bryce Mitchell), and recent additions like Aaron Pico and Pitbull could all pose serious threats.

At 36, Volkanovski is in for a tougher path than before—but if he defends the belt a few more times, he could cement himself as the greatest featherweight ever, surpassing legends like Holloway and José Aldo.

UFC 314 wasn’t just about title belts—it was a turning point. New contenders emerged, aging icons were tested, and a new era may have quietly begun.

Is the UFC back?

RORY/DECHAMBEAU SHOWDOWN

Rory eyes historic grand slam.

Rory McIlroy is 18 holes from completing the career Grand Slam, holding a two-shot lead at 12-under after a brilliant 6-under 66 in Saturday’s third round of the Masters.

A win at Augusta would place McIlroy alongside legends like Nicklaus and Tiger as the only players to win all four majors in the modern era.

It’s McIlroy’s 11th attempt to capture the elusive green jacket. He surged with a birdie-eagle-birdie start and added a second eagle on the par-5 15th to regain control.

Despite two bogeys, he’s in prime position heading into Sunday, where he’ll be paired with Bryson DeChambeau—who trails by two after a clutch finish that included a 48-foot putt on 18.

McIlroy has won all four majors in the past when leading after 54 holes, except for the infamous 2011 Masters collapse. Fourteen years later, he looks focused and ready to rewrite that ending.

Corey Conners sits third at 8-under, with Patrick Reed and Ludvig Åberg tied for fourth at 6-under. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is among four tied at 5-under.

MAFIA IN NJ

The Lucchese family face charges of racketeering from illegal gambling ring in NJ.

A two-year investigation has led to racketeering and gambling charges against 39 individuals, including George Zappola, a high-ranking member of the Lucchese crime family, and Anand Shah, a Prospect Park town councilman, according to New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin.

The illegal operation ran underground poker clubs and a sports betting ring across Totowa, Garfield, Woodland Park, and Paterson.

Authorities say the ring earned over $3 million in criminal proceeds and used shell companies to conceal the money.

Shah allegedly helped run illegal poker games and an offshore online sportsbook, though he has not been charged with misconduct related to his public role.

“This isn’t the romanticized mob life you see in movies,” Platkin said. “It’s about breaking the law for profit.”

The operation used gambling machines and offshore websites, with managers overseeing day-to-day activities at the clubs.

MEME

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